12 Breathtaking Waterfalls You’ll Find in Alaska

Practically all of Alaska is a natural wonder, if you ask us, and compiling a list of bucket-list attractions within the Last Frontier is certainly not an easy task. Our state is teeming with beauty, whether you love the epic scenery of our mountain ranges or countless miles of the best waterfalls in Alaska. One thing that pretty much any nature lover can agree on is that there are some remarkably stunning Alaska waterfalls. Below are just 12 of our favorite waterfalls in Alaska. From tall cascades to easily accessible falls, there are so many natural wonders in Alaska just waiting for you.

1. A Scenic Trek to Hidden Ebner Falls

• Location: Juneau
• Popularity: Hidden Gem
• Need To Know: Ebner Falls can be seen from the Perseverance Trail.

The Perseverance Trail is an easy-to-moderate hike in Juneau that is perfect for waterfall lovers, as you'll actually get to see two cascades on the trail. The historic Perseverance Trail follows an old mining route that once connected Juneau to the Perseverance Mine. The trail is great for both hikers and mountain bikers, and the view of Ebner Falls is quite lovely. The stunning falls are about 150 feet, falling in two sections. It's also a great spot for a picnic!

2. Glacier Views Await at Nugget Falls

• Location: Juneau
• Popularity: Very Popular
• Need To Know: Nugget Falls is also known as Mendenhall Glacier Falls.

One of the great things about Alaska's remote and rugged landscape is that "Alaska popular" doesn't mean anywhere near the crowds you'll find at popular destinations in the lower 48. Nugget Falls is a two-tiered waterfall fed by Nugget Creek. It drops an impressive 377 feet in total and is interesting because it is fed by runoff from a glacier (Nugget Glacier feeds into Nugget Creek.) And drains into Mendenhall Lake (which is fed by the Mendenhall Glacier). The falls can be reached by an easy hike that includes plenty of wildlife.

3. The Classic Alaska Beauty of Bridal Veil Falls

• Location: Valdez
• Popularity: Very Popular
• Need To Know: You can't directly reach the falls themselves, but there's a convenience parking area where you can view the falls just off the highway if you are driving through Keystone Canyon.

Bridal Veil Falls is perhaps most famous for the ice-climbing festival that's held here each winter when the falls freeze over. It's a magnificent sight at any time of year, and it's no surprise it made CNN's list of the Best Waterfalls in America. Valdez is a small town right on Prince William Sound, but it's certainly worth a visit to catch a glimpse of this towering natural wonder.

4. Towering Wilderness Views at Pitchfork Falls

• Location: Skagway
• Popularity: Hidden Gem
• Need To Know: The falls are named for the gold miners who once used pitchforks to seek gold in the nearby creek.

Pitchfork Falls towers over 100 feet above the surrounding landscape. This is a powerful waterfall and can often be heard echoing through the surrounding valley. The falls are deep in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness, and the pristine surroundings only add to their mesmerizing beauty.

5. A Quiet Forest Hike to South Fork Falls

• Location: Eagle River
• Popularity: Popular
• Need To Know: This waterfall is also known as South Fork Eagle River Falls and Barbara Falls.

While many of us prefer to check out Alaska's waterfalls in the spring and summer when the snowmelt has the flow at its most powerful, the stunning South Fork Falls is one of our favorite winter hikes in Alaska. Located just north of Anchorage, this beautiful cascade is reached by an easy 0.7-mile hike that boasts very little elevation gain and is perfect for the whole family. The falls measure about 60 feet in height.

6. Mist and Mountain Scenery at Rainbow Falls

• Location: Wrangell
• Popularity: Hidden Gem
• Need To Know: The trail has quite a few stairs, and the area can become quite muddy.

The Rainbow Falls Trail is a magnificent hike through a scenic rainforest, offering amazing waterfall views. Does it get much better than that?! Note that due to the steep elevation gain, this is considered a moderately challenging hike.

7. Salmon and Cascades at Russian River Falls

• Location: Seward
• Popularity: Popular
• Need To Know: There are a few rocks to navigate around, but overall, this is a fairly easy trail, wide and covered in gravel.

Looking for a fair easy trail that the entire family can enjoy? The Russian River Falls Trail is a bit long at 4.7 miles, but it has very little elevation gain and leads to a beautiful observation platform overlooking the stunning falls. Visit during the summertime, and you might see salmon or even brown bears out hunting, but this is a gorgeous trail to enjoy at any time of year. There's a small parking lot off the access road to the Russian River Campground on Sterling Highway – park there, and you'll be at the trailhead.

8. A Short Trail to Serene Cedar Falls

• Location: Petersburg
• Popularity: Hidden Gem
• Need To Know: This is a pretty tough trail, so don't head out unless you are an experienced hiker!

The Cedar Falls Trail is pretty rigorous, but it's a beautiful hike that's definitely worth the effort. The entire seven-mile-long, round-trip trail will take you all the way to Swan Lake. Cedar Falls is one of the state's most stunning waterfalls, especially after heavy rains when the flow is intense. Just make sure you are prepared for your journey!

9. The Dramatic Cliffside Drop of Horsetail Falls

• Location: Valdez
• Popularity: Popular
• Need To Know: You can reach Horsetail Falls directly from the Richardson Highway. There's a small parking lot off the road where you can pull off and snap some photos at the base of the falls.

It can sometimes feel like all the natural wonders in Alaska require a bit of effort to reach them – our backcountry can be quite harsh, after all. One waterfall that definitely doesn't fit into that category is the beautiful Horsetail Falls. It's tucked away in Keystone Canyon, and it's one of the most accessible waterfalls in Alaska: you can practically drive right up to it! Horsetail Falls is a 330-foot wall of powerfully rushing water, and it's quite the sight to see in person.

10. Historic Downtown Views at Ketchikan Creek Falls

• Location: Ketchikan
• Popularity: Very popular
• Need To Know: If you want to spot spawning salmon, visit in July or August. Creek Street is a great place to catch a glimpse of the fish as they make their way upstream.

The Ketchikan area is famous for its salmon, and Ketchikan Creek is the place to see them (at least in the summertime). To reach Ketchikan Creek Falls, all you have to do is walk to the end of Ketchikan Creek Road, and you'll enjoy a great view of this beautiful cascade.

11. Roadside Beauty: McHugh Creek Falls

• Location: Anchorage
• Popularity: Popular
• Need To Know: This is a small waterfall, but it's easy to access.

McHugh Creek Falls might not be quite as impressive as some of the larger falls on this list, but its easy access makes it worth a quick visit. The 20-foot falls are just after the entrance to Chugach State Park along the Seward Highway. While the falls themselves cannot be accessed, you can get a great look at them from a small parking area, and no hiking is required.

12. An Easy Hike to Thunderbird Falls

• Location: Chugiak
• Popularity: Very Popular
• Need To Know: Located in Chugach State Park, this trail is easy and family-friendly. It is quite popular, so expect to see other hikers along your way. Strollers can access the falls viewpoint.

Thunderbird Falls are also located in Chugach State Park. While it is a bit of a hike to reach this one, it's an easy, family-friendly trail everyone can enjoy. The level trail has very little elevation gain and is only about 1.8 miles – it's even suitable for kids. This is an absolutely beautiful trail, and the 200-foot waterfall is the crown jewel of the hike. The paved trail makes this one of the more accessible waterfall hikes near Anchorage.

Wow! I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get out and explore! If you want to chase even more waterfalls in the Last Frontier, make sure to check out this waterfall road trip itinerary. You can break up your trip into multiple days and book cozy vacation rentals along your way. Just don't forget your favorite car-friendly snacks for the journey. Also, let us know what you think about this listing.